NBA Inside Drive 2004 - XB - Preview

The clipped banter of the announcer lends the perfect air to the
televised National Basketball Association game - however there is a difference
here. The game isn’t on television, it is on the Xbox console system.

NBA Inside Drive 2004 is from Microsoft Game Studios and High
Voltage, and a preview of the game was provided to GameZone.com for a look at
this November release.

While the game still lacks a polished graphical look, it is
apparent that a lot of stops are being pulled out to render a game that looks as
realistic as possible. Take the Los Angeles Lakers (perhaps the most
high-profile team, player-wise, in the game right now) by way of example. While
Rick Fox and Kobe Bryant may be a little suspect in facial characteristics, Gary
Payton and Shaquille O’Neal were immediately identifiable during player
introductions.

This is a game that is a ways from being finished graphically,
but the gameplay here is the thing, and in that regard, with one exception, this
game seems to have nailed that as sweetly as a 15-foot jumper that hits nothing
but net.

The one exception? Where is the fast-break key, the trigger that
pushes the ball hard up the floor? Teams that have decent-to-good team speed,
and like a quicker pace all seem to move at the same speed as others, and the
ripped rebound, quick outlet and fast transition bucket seems to be missing - at
the moment.

"You couldn’t ask for a sweeter jumper if you pulled out a bag
of sugar!"

The sound quality of this game is, without a doubt, very well
done. The announcing (by Kenny Smith, Kevin Calabro, and Marques Johnson) is
solid and mixes the right blend of accurate game action with throwaway
lighthearted lines. There is the squeak of shoes on the hardwood and the cheer
of the crowd. The stadium public address in the background provides a variety of
announcements such as the license plate number of a car being towed.

The controls take a bit of work, and it was a problem compounded
by a lack of a manual. However, spend 10-15 minutes in the shoot-around and you
begin to feel some measure of comfort with these elements.

Actual gameplay features a host of options from replays, to
calling a timeout and substitutions to coaching strategies.

Single play, season, network play, playoffs, general manager are
all pro-offered game options and the title is also branded with XSN Sports to
offer players an array of Xbox Live tournament, league and one-on-one action.
Through the Xbox Live connection, players will be able to download the current
roster moves and players’ ratings.

The general manager mode will allow players to build a dynasty
through 25 seasons, and includes the ability to make unbalanced trades, take
part in the draft and even trade draft picks.

This is a game that has been revamped in the AI department.
There are a series of new low-post moves which will allow the big players, like
cover-boy Shaq, to dominate the game low. The game also has allowed gamers to
juke the opposition a little better. And if you can’t get past the defender, one
control tap brings up the list of buttons for that pinpoint pass, or you can
settle with throwing the ball to the player nearest to the direction your
ballhandler is facing.

This is a game that has some graphical refinement left but even
months before its slated release, it plays well and has solid animation. Driving
lay-ups, hooks, and that fade-away jumper all look very realistic.

NBA Inside Drive 2004 is lined up to take that game-winning
three-pointer. Come November, when all the elements are in place - including the
XSN connection, it will be determined if this shot bounced off the rim, or
tickles the twine.